South-East traders endorse Jonathan

THE re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan received a major boost on Thursday as traders in the South-East announced their endorsement of his candidature for the February 14 presidential election.

The traders under the aegis of South-East Traders Association made the announcement at a meeting with Anambra governor, Mr Willie Obiano, in Awka.

Chairman of the association, Chief Eze Nwankwo, said that the traders had also adopted all the candidates contesting in the elections on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the zone as their candidates.

Nwankwo disclosed that the decision of the group to its throw weight behind Jonathan and APGA candidates in the upcoming elections was influenced by the intense lobbying by Obiano.

He commended the governor for his determination, magnanimity and support to traders in the area and assured that sooner than later, ‘’Ndigbo will take their rightful position in the country’’.

He said that the association, with members in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, supported the strategic vision of APGA under its current leadership.

Reacting, Obiano thanked the association for resolving to adopt Jonathan as its candidate in the election, adding that only Jonathan would guarantee peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, devoid of discrimination and other forms of extremism.

He disclosed that the state government had commenced the construction of an international market at Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of the state, to decongest the Onitsha markets.

He also announced that the government had harmonised all levies and fees being collected in the state, explaining that it was intended to eliminate cases of double or multiple taxation.

The governor urged members of the association to ensure that all levies are paid into government accounts appropriately, to beef up the state’s internally-generated revenue. (NAN)